Discussion Questions *One of the major character flaws in Greek tragedy is the excessive display of pride. What is the difference between pride and too much pride?
*After all of Oedipus' transgressions are discovered and revealed, he pleads to Creon to be exiled, but Creon says that "only the gods can give you that" (page 613). Is this restraint or hesitation, and does it show strength or weakness?
*After all that happened throughout his story, do you think Oedipus deserved his fate?
*Do you think that what was going on in Sophocles' life helped shaped the events of Oedipus the king, or was this a tragedy he created without the influence of the world around him?
*The oracle predicted the fate of Oedipus to his father who preceded to dispose of Oedipus, do you think this fate could have been ignored or would it have been inevitable either way?
*The people of Thebes were heavily reliant on Oedipus to save them from the plague-Why do we place our hope in those whom are mortal and that which is temporal? (ex. movie stars, ball players, fame, fortune, etc...)
*"Banish the man, or pay back blood with blood": this is line 113 from the play and Creon is speaking about punishment of the guilty murderer -Is it feasible or even moral to pay back blood with blood?
* In Line 503 the blind prophet Teresias says, "Your great good fortune, true, it was your ruin"- Why does success ruin people and if so, were those that were ruined by success, ever really successful?
* Creon defends his position that he never plotted against Oedipus in line 654-655: who would "rather rule and live in anxiety than sleep in peace"?-Do you agree with his position that living in peace is better than ruling in anxiety?
* Line 1362-63 "The pains that we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all"-Do you agree with this statement? Why?
*Line 1686 "Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last"-this is a phrase that ends the play and the question is simple: Is living or dying more glorious?Why?
*One of the major character flaws in Greek tragedy is the excessive display of pride. What is the difference between pride and too much pride?
*After all of Oedipus' transgressions are discovered and revealed, he pleads to Creon to be exiled, but Creon says that "only the gods can give you that" (page 613). Is this restraint or hesitation, and does it show strength or weakness?
*After all that happened throughout his story, do you think Oedipus deserved his fate?
*Do you think that what was going on in Sophocles' life helped shaped the events of Oedipus the king, or was this a tragedy he created without the influence of the world around him?
*The oracle predicted the fate of Oedipus to his father who preceded to dispose of Oedipus, do you think this fate could have been ignored or would it have been inevitable either way?
*The people of Thebes were heavily reliant on Oedipus to save them from the plague-Why do we place our hope in those whom are mortal and that which is temporal? (ex. movie stars, ball players, fame, fortune, etc...)
*"Banish the man, or pay back blood with blood": this is line 113 from the play and Creon is speaking about punishment of the guilty murderer -Is it feasible or even moral to pay back blood with blood?
* In Line 503 the blind prophet Teresias says, "Your great good fortune, true, it was your ruin"- Why does success ruin people and if so, were those that were ruined by success, ever really successful?
* Creon defends his position that he never plotted against Oedipus in line 654-655: who would "rather rule and live in anxiety than sleep in peace"?-Do you agree with his position that living in peace is better than ruling in anxiety?
* Line 1362-63 "The pains that we inflict upon ourselves hurt most of all"-Do you agree with this statement? Why?
*Line 1686 "Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last"-this is a phrase that ends the play and the question is simple: Is living or dying more glorious?Why?